NFL

Chargers veteran slot WR Keenan Allen functioned as the offensive focal point this afternoon. Unfortunately, for Lance, Allen mostly ran quick-hitting routes that relied on the 33-year-old to pick up yards after the catch. Chargers rookie WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith is to blame for Lance’s interception, tipping a catchable pass into Broncos slot CB Ja’Quan McMillian’s hands for the pick-six. Lance did a great job evading Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto for much of the game, but Bonitto got the better of Lance late in the game by forcing a fumble with a well-aimed punch. Lance connected with WR Derius Davis for a short touchdown late in the game, but it was called back due to an illegal formation penalty. Lance heads back to the bench for the Chargers’ Wild Card Weekend matchup against the Patriots.

A fourth-year UDFA, Austin was a 2022 Combine workout warrior who entered 2025 with 11 career catches. He doubled that this year, but with just 13 total grabs, eight of which came the past two weeks as the Saints dealt with injury issues. Two months shy of his 26th birthday, there is no guarantee Austin is back on next summer’s 53-man roster.

Demercado made the Cardinals’ final roster after training camp as the team’s third-string back. With James Conner and Trey Benson suffering season-ending injuries early in the year, Demercado got his shot in Week 5. Moments before scoring a 72-yard touchdown, Demercado let go of the ball at the goal line for a fumble that ultimately resulted in a touchback. Head coach Jonathan Gannon chewed Demercado out so aggressively after the play that he was fined $100,000 by the league. Even with opportunities up for grabs in the Arizona backfield, Gannon couldn’t bring himself to give Demercado another shot and he was relegated to a backup role for the remainder of the year. He finished the season with 44 carries for 312 yards and 13 grabs for 101 yards plus a touchdown. Demercado is a restricted free agent heading into the offseason, meaning the Cardinals can keep him on a cheap contract if they choose to do so.

The veteran had more than three receptions in just three games this season, totaling 34 catches for 334 yards and two a touchdown. Smith-Schuster operated mostly as a rotational receiver and an intermediate outlet for Patrick Mahomes. The 29-year-old wideout, with 51 catches over the past two seasons, will probably be with another team in 2026. He’s an unrestricted free agent.

McLaughlin also chipped in a 17-yard reception by forcing a missed tackle after securing a checkdown pass from QB Bo Nix before scampering down the right sideline. The rotational back ran very efficiently and even brought the ball into scoring position on the opening drive with a 10-yard gain from the Chargers’ 16-yard line. Fellow Broncos RB Tyler Badie rushed twice for minus-two yards and caught 2-of-2 targets for 28 yards.

Gray led the Chiefs in targets for receiving yards in a miserable offensive outing for the Mahomes-less KC offense. It was a season-best game for Gray, who once again played behind Travis Kelce and had just five games with more than 20 receiving yards. He had 21 receptions for 178 yards in 2025. Gray, 26, is signed through the 2027 season and could have an increased role in the team’s passing offense if Kelce retires this offseason.

Carter was cut by Arizona at the end of training camp. He bounced between their practice squad and active roster early in the year before injuries to James Conner and Trey Benson forced them to keep him around as a permanent member of the 53-man roster. He primarily served as the team’s top pass-catching option for the first few months of the year. Carter hit double-digit carries once before December but caught five passes on three occasions. Bam Knight then went down with an ankle injury, allowing Carter to take over as the team’s lead option between the tackles for the final month of the year. Carter finished the season with 92 carries for 333 yards and one touchdown. He also added 33 catches for 267 yards through the air. Carter, Knight, and Emari Demercado will all be options for the Cardinals’ RB3 gig next year. All three are free agents, though Carter is the only unrestricted free agent.

The veteran had just 21 receptions for 216 yards and one touchdown in 2025, his 11th NFL season. Lockett landed with the Raiders and former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll after the Titans parted ways with him in late October. Unable to separate from defenders or beat cornerbacks downfield, Lockett, 33, could be done as an NFL wideout. He could hang around in 2026 for a team in need of receiver depth.

With the single-season receptions record for a tight end already claimed in Week 17, McBride got to put a bow on an already historic season in Week 18. While it wasn’t an elite showing from him to close the year, another seven grabs will make his record even more unattainable for the next tight end to challenge his throne. McBride’s season took off when Kyler Murray went down. Jacoby Brissett took over and cooked the books with absurd passing volume, funneling looks to McBride and Michael Wilson every week. McBride ended the year with a 126/1,239/11 receiving line. He totaled 97 catches, 964 yards, and 10 scores in a dozen Brissett starts. The Brissett takeover allowed him to run away with the TE1 overall crown. His 2025 season goes down as the second-best PPR campaign for a tight end in league history. Brissett is under contract for one more year, meaning he should be back in 2026. Fantasy managers would love to see another 17 games of the Brissett fantasy bonanza, but he will likely return as a bridge to a younger option. Even with some uncertainty around who will be throwing him passes next year, McBride is the uncontested TE1 heading into 2026.

Even with Jaylen Waddle (ribs) joining Tyreek Hill and Darren Waller on the shelf, Westbrook-Ikhine couldn’t command a look in what will probably end up his final game as a Dolphin. NWI is signed for $2.45 million in 2026, but is due no guaranteed money after catching just 11 passes all season. The former Titan turns 29 in March and is miles from dynasty league relevance.